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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Oct;18(4):e12421.
doi: 10.1111/jjns.12421. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

The effect on pain level and comfort of foot massages given by mothers to newborns before heel lancing: Double-blind randomized controlled study

Seçil Yavaş  1 , Tülay Bülbül  2 , Hilal Topçu Gavas  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The effect on pain level and comfort of foot massages given by mothers to newborns before heel lancing: Double-blind randomized controlled study

Seçil Yavaş et al. Jpn J Nurs Sci. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Introduction: In addition to pharmacological methods, non-pharmacological methods can also be used for reducing pain and increasing comfort during invasive procedures in newborn babies. This study was conducted to determine the effect on pain level and comfort of foot massages given by mothers to newborns before heel lancing.

Methods: This is a double-blind randomized controlled experimental study. The sample consisted of 128 newborns including 64 in the intervention group and 64 in the control group. The Newborn Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) and Newborn Comfort Behavior Scale (NCBS) were used to collect the data, along with questionnaires for information on the newborn and mother. The researcher explained to each mother in theory how to do a foot massage at least 2 h before the heel lancing procedure. Mothers then drew random assignments to either an intervention group that would give a foot massage for 3 min with baby oil, or a control group that simply waited 3 min, immediately prior to the lancing.

Results: It was determined that the foot massage performed by the mother reduced the pain level of babies, increased their comfort levels, and decreased their distress levels.

Conclusion: Nurses play an active role in defining and evaluating the newborn's responses to pain. It is thought that this study will guide nurses working in the clinic in reducing the acute pain that develops with invasive interventions performed on newborns and in preventing the negative effects of pain on the newborn.

Keywords: comfortable; foot massage; heel lancing; newborn; pain.

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References

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